Chapter 153

Chapter 153: The Wind Passes Through the Bamboo Without a Sound 

The sky was pale blue, adorned with twinkling starlight.

Walking slowly through the corridor and across the courtyard, Si Cang Qing paused. There he saw a dense 

bamboo grove. The night breeze occasionally rustled the bamboo leaves, a scene all too familiar. He turned and 

strolled over.

It was quiet. A gentle breeze caressed his face, bringing a sense of leisure and comfort, creating the illusion that 

he was still deep within that secluded bamboo grove, living a carefree life of playing the flute and boating.

Si Cang Qing stood outside the bamboo grove, lost in thought, fiddling with a long flute.

A distant commotion broke the tranquility and interrupted Si Cang Qing's reverie. He glanced briefly at the 

bamboo grove, then, without lingering, put away his flute and turned to leave.

"Qingqing, prepare some hot water; I need to bathe!"

Si Cang Qing remained silent, simply walking towards the white-robed youth standing on the small bridge. His 

shadow guards, however, were about to be burdened. A faint smell of blood wafted through the air; he knew 

the youth was likely engaged in another fight.

Back in the Tianwaitian incident, many martial artists had witnessed Qi Shuangran's true form. At that time, 

various sects suffered heavy casualties, and they directed their hatred towards the Piaomiao Palace, making the 

two sides irreconcilable enemies. Unfortunately, this man always flaunted his presence, never concealing his 

whereabouts, resulting in frequent ambushes.

Qi Shuangran felt a surge of satisfaction. Those people were truly fearless, coming one after another to their 

deaths, which relieved his pent-up anger. With a broad smile, he glanced at the person before him, his tone 

arrogant, "Is dinner ready? I'm hungry!"

Taking the other's hand, Si Cang Qing responded indifferently, "Mm."

The hand jerked uncomfortably away, but upon seeing the other's composed profile, Qi Shuangran finally gave up, 

huffing, "What are you doing?"

"Nothing."

Pausing slightly, she nudged the other's heel and lazily asked, "When do you plan to return to the palace?"

"Tomorrow morning."

Hearing this, her eyes gleamed. Qi Shuangran pulled him closer, leaning comfortably against Si Cang Qing, 

blocking his path. His eyes narrowed into crescents as he asked, "If you want to marry me, the wedding ceremony 

must be far more lavish and grand than those of your previous concubines."

Si Cang Qing nodded casually.

"Don't try to apply the palace rules to me!"

"..."

"And you're not allowed to interfere in my private affairs, or you'll regret it!"

"..."

"When I'm in the palace, you must be at my beck and call, serving me well, and stop being so clingy with your 

concubines!"

Looking at this man's arrogant demeanor, Si Cang Qing remained silent. Some things he would do without being 

told; others he couldn't… seeing the man's smug expression, he didn't need to rush to refute him.

"Also," Qi Shuangran frowned, pondering for a long time, "I refuse to be subservient to anyone. My rank is higher

than your Empress's."

Still no answer. Si Cang Qing simply looked at the man indifferently, then pulled him into his arms, kissing his 

forehead.

Pushing Si Cang Qing's face away, Qi Shuangran said defiantly, "Don't try to take advantage of me!"

The discussion about the wedding ceremony came to an abrupt end. Soon after, the two left together, disappearing 

into the deep night.

Early the next morning, arranged by Feng Xiang and others, Si Cang Qing and Qi Shuangran boarded the carriage 

to return to the capital.

"Master, Consort Qiu is here!"

Feng Xiang's voice suddenly came from outside the carriage. Si Cang Qing was slightly taken aback; they hadn't 

even reached Luyang yet, and Qiu Ping Tian had already arrived ahead of them.

As Si Cang Qing was thinking this, the carriage curtain was lifted, and a familiar face appeared before him. 

Months had passed, and his thin face looked slightly haggard. The man was full of joy, but upon seeing him, he 

suddenly froze.

Seeing him frozen at the carriage door, he then remembered that Qi Shuangran was leaning against him, eating! 

So, without leaving a trace, he released his arm from the man's waist, creating a slight distance, and softly called, 

"Qiu..."

Giving Si Cang Qing a disgruntled glare, Qi Shuangran then looked at Qiu Ping Tian's somewhat pale face, 

pouted, and moved away from him, comfortably leaning against the carriage wall.

Hearing Si Cang Qing's call, Qiu Ping Tian trembled slightly, then climbed onto the carriage and sat down opposite 

Si Cang Qing. His gaze darted back and forth between the two, his usually smiling eyes now showing a hint of 

gloom.

"Qiu," Si Cang Qing called again, disliking Qiu Ping Tian's somber expression. He knew that his disappearance 

these past few days had likely taken a toll on the man, especially after what had just happened… So, his hand 

unconsciously touched the other's cheek, about to say something, when he heard the other cough loudly.

"Hmm…"

Si Cang Qing turned his head to look. Qi Shuangran leaned back lazily, glancing at him sideways with a hint of 

displeasure on her face.

"QingDi," Qiu Ping Tian suddenly spoke, raising his hand to cover Si Cang Qing's hand on his cheek, smiling 

faintly, "It's good that you're alright!"

As for anything else, such as where Si Cang Qing had been or what he had been doing for nearly three months, 

he didn't want to ask. Qiu Ping Tian glanced at Qi Shuangran again, then lowered his eyes slightly… The others 

had long sensed the subtle tension between Si Cang Qing and this person, and were somewhat prepared. He had 

mentally prepared himself before embarking on this path without hesitation, so he wasn't too shocked.

However, the uncontrollable sadness and surging jealousy were still very real, especially after the initial excitement 

of finding Si Cang Qing…

The exhaustion, panic, and pain accumulated over the past three months, along with all sorts of negative emotions,

surged forth all at once.

"Qiu," sensing Qiu Ping Tian's unusually low spirits, Si Cang Qing disregarded Qi Shuangran's earlier warning 

and gently pulled him into his arms, his hand softly stroking his back. He opened and closed his mouth several 

times, wanting to say something comforting, but ultimately found himself at a loss for words.

"Qingdi, don't be nervous," Qiu Ping Tian naturally didn't refuse the embrace, relaxing and leaning comfortably 

into Si Cang Qing's arms, saying gently, "I'm just a little tired from traveling for days."

"Rest!" Si Cang Qing tightened his arms, following Qiu Ping Tian's words in a low voice.

Watching the two of them talking face-to-face as if no one else was around, Qi Shuangran pursed his lips, his gaze 

shifting to the low table in front of them. He then stretched out his leg and kicked Si Cang Qing in the waist, 

applying slight force without hesitation.

Leaning back slightly, Si Cang Qing finally looked at Qi Shuangran, only to see him lazily lean against the carriage

wall again, raising his chin to glance at the fruit on the low table, saying, "I want to eat that. Peel it for me."

Qiu Ping Tian glanced at Qi Shuangran, chuckled softly, then looked up at Si Cang Qing, saying, "I'm sleepy, I'll 

sleep for a while." Ignoring the two of them, he lay down in Si Cang Qing's arms and fell asleep.

Lowering his gaze, Si Cang Qing silently watched the young man's steady breathing. Perhaps the slight jolting of 

the carriage made him uncomfortable, his brows were constantly furrowed. On a whim, his fingers gently traced 

Qiu Ping Tian's eyebrows and eyes.

Just then, he was kicked hard in the waist. Si Cang Qing felt a surge of helplessness. Before the other person could 

speak, he instinctively picked up a knife and some fruit, quietly peeling them.

When the fruit was presented to him, Qi Shuangran snorted, turned his head away, and lazily said, "It's too difficult 

for me to take it like this!"

Seeing this, Si Cang Qing had no choice but to place the fruit on a clean plate, cut it into small pieces, then picked 

up a prepared bamboo skewer, poked a piece, and carefully leaned forward to offer it to the man's mouth.

Qi Shuangran smiled with satisfaction, ate it, and then gestured with his chin towards the low table. Si Cang Qing 

understood, and once again poked a piece of fruit and offered it to his mouth.

Inside the carriage, there was an unusual silence.

After traveling day and night for more than half a month, Si Cang Qing and his party finally arrived in the capital 

in April. Upon arriving in the capital, they heard rumors circulating among the people, saying that the emperor had 

been kidnapped and that the concubines in the harem were plotting to seize power.

Si Cang Qing was immediately displeased and quickly dispatched Feng Xiang to investigate. He learned that in 

the past few days, because the Emperor's "Buddhist prayer" period had ended, court officials who hadn't seen 

the monarch for months were all strongly requesting an audience, but Feng Lan and his companions had all turned 

them away with various excuses. As a result, rumors had been spreading like wildfire for the past two days. 

On the day of their return to court, in the Canglong Hall, Feng Lan and Cheng Tian Yang stood before the dragon 

throne, confronting the court officials. Beside them, the Grand Emperor Si Cangjue Tian also watched the two 

factions with a gloomy expression.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

With this announcement, the officials trembled. Upon seeing the Emperor in his bright yellow dragon robe, they 

all knelt down and shouted in unison, "Your subjects pay respects to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor..."

Impatiently interrupting, Si Cang Qing coldly rebuked, "Liu Yi!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Someone in the court maliciously spread rumors, and not only did you fail to investigate and restrain them, but 

you also led the officials to disrespect the two empresses' dignity. Is this how you, as prime minister, should act?"

"Your Majesty, I know my mistake. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!" Liu Yi knelt on the ground, head bowed, 

staring at the ground, and replied calmly.

Si Cang Qing did not pursue Liu Yi's responsibility further. This unrest in the court had nothing to do with Liu Yi. 

He then slowly descended the jade steps, walking slowly among the ranks of officials.

After a long while, he spoke coldly, "All officials are to be fined one month's salary and return to their quarters 

to reflect on their mistakes. Submit a letter of repentance in three days! Remember, the imperial dignity must not 

be violated. If such a thing happens again, I will not spare your lives!"

He did not want to be a tyrannical and incompetent emperor. However, the initial reason he accepted this empire 

was merely to consolidate his power upon arriving in this strange world. Now, with those few people by his side, 

he could not tolerate the slightest insult to them, even in the name of the empire.

He would show no mercy to anyone who harmed those people!

The court officials, filled with trepidation, cried out in unison, "We know our mistake!"

Si Cang Qing then softened his tone and explained calmly, "Considering the safety of the Holy Kingdom and the 

suffering of its people, zhen spent several months in seclusion at Wuya Temple to worship Buddha. Having gained 

profound insights, zhen have extended our stay as a token of my gratitude. Although your actions were 

inappropriate, zhen am moved by your loyalty. Ten days from now, a banquet will be held in the palace to reward 

your good intentions!"

"We are terrified!"

"Rise!"

Without further words, Si Cang Qing turned and walked towards the dragon throne, ascending the jade steps step 

by step. Looking at the two people standing there, they had recovered from their surprise and were both gazing 

intently at him—one with a reserved expression, the other with a tender smile.

Nodding to the Emperor, and seeing his relaxed expression, Si Cang Qing stood before Feng Lan and 

Cheng Tian Yang, softly saying, "I'm back!"

The fear and anxiety of waiting vanished instantly… "I'm back," those four simple words were enough to save 

them from all despair.

Eyes met, everything was understood without words.

The "Prosperous Era" chapter of *The Holy Kingdom's Insights* states:

In the autumn of the first year of the era, 

the five vassal states of the former Hongcheng Kingdom held a grand celebration, 

inviting the Holy Emperor to tour the various countries.

However, the Emperor's journey was thwarted by a bloody execution. 

Enraged, the Emperor executed the Grand Vassal King and distributed fiefdoms among the vassal states.

In the winter of the second year of the era, bandits roamed the South Sea. 

The Emperor once again personally led the campaign, and the three seas submitted.

From then on, the world truly lived up to its name, 

with the ruler and the people united in heart, jointly ushering in a century of prosperity!

———Volume Three: The Era's Holy Emperor, Unrivalled Ruler of the Realm End————

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